Pharmacy Daily | APLF backs FIP’s safe meds call

LEADERS of Australia's pharmacy bodies have voiced their support for the International Pharmaceutical Federation's (FIP's) 'Safe and effective medicines for all' message as part of today's World Pharmacists' Day.

In a joint statement issued by the Australian Pharmacy Leaders Forum (APLF), which represents 10 professional bodies including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, expressed support for medicines safety programs including My Health Record and advocated for real-time prescription monitoring.

"The APLF encourages pharmacists to use World Pharmacists Day to organise activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health," APLF Chair, Gilbert Yeates said.

"Australian pharmacists are highly trained and highly regulated professionals who are experts in managing medicines.

"They should be, and usually are, available wherever medicines are used, practising in a wide range of roles across the pharmacy profession - including community, hospital, aged care, compounding, research, clinical and academic settings, to name a few."

Yeates noted that community pharmacists were readily available to assist consumers with the best advice for their over-the-counter and prescription medicines, while also ensuring safe use of medicines.

"The integration of innovative digital health systems such as My Health Record and Real Time Prescription Monitoring increases the opportunity for pharmacists to make a positive impact," he said.

The APLF Chair added hospital pharmacists see the most acutely unwell Australians, and their medicines expertise is "crucial to ensuring all people are empowered and supported to manage medicines across the continuum of care.

"Pharmacists are trained, available and ready to take up the challenge of 'safe and effective medicines for all' on World Pharmacists' Day," he concluded.